Railway signaling



Dec. 14, 1937,

J. J. VANHORN RAILWAY SIGNALING 3 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Feb. l5, 1936 -1 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 J. J. vANHoRN RAILWAY SIGNALING Filed Feb. 15, 193e Dec. 14, 1937.

INVENToR James J.Iznh01'z2.

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Patented Dec. `14, 1937 PATENT OFFICE RAILWAY SIGNALING .lames J. Vanhorn,A Swissvale, Pa., assignor to The Union Switch & Signal Company, Swissvale, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Application February 15, 1936, Serial No. 64,095

14 Claims.

My invention relates to. railway signaling, and particularly to signaling involving wayside signals located along a trackway for governing the passage of trains.

A feature of my invention is the provision of novel and improved apparatus for establishing a distinctive control for each of three track sections in the rear of an occupied section. Each distinctive control is eiiective to cause a corresponding aspect of the wayside signals, whereby there is produced a three-block, four-indication, system of signaling.

I will described two forms of apparatus each embodying my invention, and will then point out the novel features thereof in claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figs. 1A and 1B are diagrammatic views which, when placed end to end in the order named, illustrate one form of apparatus embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is o a diagrammatic view illustrating a modification of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1A and also embodying my invention,

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts in each of the several views.

Referring first to Figs. lA and 1B, the reference characters 5 and 6 designate the rails of a stretch of railway track over which traiiic normally moves in the direction indicated by the arrows. These rails are divided by insulated joints I into a plurality of track sections designated by the reference character T with a suitable distinguishing preiix I, 2,.3, 4, etc.

Each track section is provided with a track circuit which includes a track battery 8 connected across the rails at one end of the section and a. track relay, designated by the reference character TR with a prefix the same as the prex in the reference character of the associated section, connected across the rails at the other end of the section,

To govern the passage of trains through the stretch of railway, a wayside signal, designated by the reference character the same as the prefix in the reference character of the associated section, is located at the entrance of each track section. Each of these signals comprises an upper unit U and a lower unit L. These signals may take any one of several forms of signal mechanism such as the semaphore, color light, searchlight, or position light. As here illustrated, each upper unit U is a searchlight signal such as described and claimed in the United States Letters Patent No. 1,864,224, granted June 21, 1932, to W B. Wells, for Light signals. For the purpose of this application, it is deemed suflcient to but briefly describe these signals. Referring to signal I, for example, the upper unit U includes a pivotally mounted rotor I 2 controlled by a permanent magnet (not shown) and by an operating winding I 3. Energization of the operating winding I3 with current of one polarity causes the rotor I2 to be rotated in one direction moving the signal to the clear indication position; energizaton of the operating winding I3 with current of reverse polarity causes the rotor I2 to be rotated in the opposite direction to move the signal to the caution indication position; whiledeenergization of the operating Winding I3 permits the rotor I2 to be returned by gravity to a center position which is the stop indication position. Associated with rotor I2 is a lamp IUE which may be lighted constantly as shown or which may be approach lighted in any well-known manner. As pointed out indetail in the aforementioned patent, when the rotor I2 is rotated to the clear position, a green colored lter G is moved in front of the lamp IUE.

so that a green signal light is displayed. When the rotor E2 is rotated to the caution indication position, a yellow colored filter Y is moved in front of the lamp IUE so that a yellow signal lightis displayed. In like manner, the positioning of the rotor I2 in the centerv position moves a red colored lter R in front of the lamp IUE so that .a red signal light is displayed. The rotor I2 actuates a set of circuit controlling contacts in such a manner thatthe contact I4-I5 is closed only in the clear indication position, the Contact IS-I I is closed only in the caution indication position., and the contact Iii-I8 is closed both in the stop and caution indication positions.

The lower unit L of the signal I likewise comprises a rotor 26, an Voperating winding 2|, and a lamp ILE, all of which operate in a manner similar to Vthat described for rotor I2, operating Winding I3, and lamp IUE cf the upper mechanism except that the lower unit is arranged to display a red signal light and a green signal light b-ut not a yellow light and each lower unit L is provided with a contact 22-23 which is closed in the clear indication position` Each of the wayside signals comprisesan upper and a lower unit each of which functions in a manner similar to that described for the upper and lower units ofsignal I. Y

Associated with each signal is a polarized signal control relay designated by the reference character D with a preiix the same as the reference character of the signal controlled by that relay. Each signal control relay D is controlled over a two-wire Vpolarized linecircuit which is governed by the track relay'for the section with which Y such signal control relay is a-ssociated as well as by the signal control relay, the track relay, and the signal contacts associated with the section next in advance.

I Each of thesearchlight signals herein shown is controlled by the associated track relay TR and the associated signal control relay D in the following manner: When both relays are deenergized (see signal 4), energy is disconnected from both upper and lower units so that signal 4 dise. Y

plays a red light over a red light to indicate stop. When track relay TRV is energized and relay D is deenergized (see signal 3), operating winding I3 of the upper unit U of that signal is energized in the reverse direction -by a circuit which passes from terminal B of'a suitable source of energy through front contact ofvrelay 3TR, back point of Contact 26 of relay 3D, winding I3, back point of contact 21 of relay 3D, and front contact 28 of relay 3TR to terminal C of the same sourceV of'current. Signal 3, therefore, displays a yellow light over a red light to indicate approach next signal prepared to stop. When track relay TR is energized and relay D is energized in the reverse direction (see signal 2), operating winding I3 of the upper unit U of that signal is energized in the reverse direction by a circuit which passes from terminal B through front contact 3i) of relay 2TR, front point of contact 3I of relay 2D, reverse polar contact 32-33 of relay 2D, winding I3, reverse polar contact 34-35 of relay 2D, front point of contact 36 of relay 2D, and front contact 31 of relay 2TR to terminal C, and operating winding 2I of the lower unit-Lof that signal is energized in the normal direction by a circuit Vwhich passes from terminal B through front contact 30 of relay ZTR, caution andv stop signal contact 32E- 330i the upper unit, caution signal contact -4I of thev upper unit, front contact 42 of relay 2D, reverse polar contact 43-44 of'relay 2D, winding 2 I, reverse polar contact 45--46 of relay 2D, front contact 41 of relay 2D, andY front contact 31 of relay 2TR to terminal C. Signal 2, therefore, displays a yellow light above av green light to indicate ap proach next signal at medium speed. When relay TR is energized and relay D is energized in the normal direction (see signal I), operating winding I3. of the upper unit U of that signal is energized in the normal direction by a circuit which passes from terminal B through front contact 48- of relay ITR, front point of contact 49 of. relay ID, normal polar contact 52-50 of relay ID, winding I3', normal polar contact 5I35 of relay ID, front point of contact 52v of relay ID, and front contact 530i relay ITR to terminal C. Signal I, therefore, displays a green light above a red light to indicate proceed at normal speed. As` shown in the drawings, the section 4T is occupiedby atrain K so that both relays 4TR and 4D are deenergized with the result that signal 4; indicates stop. When relay 4TR is deenergized, no current is `supplied to the line circuit for relay 3D with the result that relay 3D is deenergized and relay 3TR is energized. When relay 3TR is energized and relay 3D is deenergized, relay 2D becomes energized in the reverse direction over a line circuitv which passes from terminal B;l at signal 3, through front contact 25 of relay STR, caution and stop signal contact 55-56 of the upper unit, caution signal contact 51-53' of the upperunit, back point of contact 59 of relay 3D, front contact 66 of relay 2TR, relay 2D, front Contact 6I of relay 2TR, back point of 2,102,445 I Y' v contact 62 of relay 2D, and front contact 28 of relay 3TR. When relay 2TR is energized and relay 2D is energized in the reverse direction, relay ID is energized in the normal direction over a line circuit which passes from terminal B, at signal 2, through front contact 30 of relay 2TR, upper mechanism stop and caution contact 38-39, upper mechanism caution contact 40-4I, lower mechanism clear Contact 618-65, front point of contact 66 of relay 2D, front contact 61 of relay ITR, relay ID, front contact 68 of relay ITR, front point of contact'69 of relay 2D, and front contact 31 of relay 2'IR to terminal C. When relay ITR is energized and relay ID is energized in the normal direction, the line circuit for the signal next in rear (not shown) is supplied with current of normal polarity over a circuit which includes front contactsY 48 and 53 of relay ITR, front points of contacts 10 and 12 of relay ID, and clear contact I4I5 of the upper unit of signal I.

It will be noted that the two less restrictive proceed indications. cannot be displayed if the signal mechanism in advance is occupying its stop4 condition. For example, the line circuit for signal 2 is supplied with energy over both the stop and caution contacts 55-56 of the upper unit and the caution contact 51-58 of the upper unit, and the line circuit for signal I is supplied with energy'ov'er the stop and caution contact 38-.39 of the upper unit, and the caution contact 46--4I of the upper unit as well as the clear contact 6465 of the lower unit. In a similar manner, the line circuit for the signal (not shown) next in rear ofV signal I is supplied with energy over the clear contact I 4`|5 of the upper unit. The system embodying my invention, therefore, provides against the possibilityV of a train-receiving either of the two lessrestrictive indications when the signal next in advance` is displaying'the stop indication even though the controlling relays might be in such condition as would' provide for such less restrictive indications.

It will also be noted that the polarized relays D are of the retained neutral type. That is, these relays are arranged so that their neutral armatures do not release when the polarity of the linecircuit is being charged. This characteristic prevents` tumble-down of the signals to the rear when the line circuit is being pole changedsince, during these periods, the front neutral contacts of the relays D remain closed so that energization of the line circuit to rear is not disturbed.

Furthermora'it will be noted that the polarized relays have a slow pickup characteristic which prevents `a momentary flash of the wrong indication when the signal next in advance is passed by a short engine or car traveling at high speed. For example, if a light engine should pass signal 2 at such speed as to permit track relay ITR to become energized before track relay 2TR be'- comes deenergized, the line circuit for the control of signal I would be supplied momentarily with current of normal polarity. Relay ID, however, having a slow pickup characteristic, re-mains in its released condition until track relay ZTR, becomes deenergized to disconnect energy from the line circuit for relay ID. Signal I, therefore, changes from its red over red indication to its yellow over red indication without flashing a momentary less restrictive indication.

Referring next to Fig. 2, the apparatus shown herein is similar to the apparatus illustrated in Fig. 1A except that Ythe control for the lower unit L at each signal yhas been modified to provide a green light over a green light instead of a green Vlight over a red light for the proceedV at normal speed indication. Y Y It will be noted that the operating winding 2| of each lower unit L is energized in the vnormal direction when both the associated relays TR and D are energized regardless of the direction of energization of the relay D. ThatV is, the lower units L of both signals l and 2 are energized over identical circuits -so that the lowerunit L of each signal displays a green lsignal light. The circuit at signal 2 passes from terminal B through front contact 'I4 of relay ZTR, front contact 15 of relay 2D, winding 2|, front contact 'l6 of relay 2D, and front contact Tl of relay 2TR to terminal C. Y

It will be noted also that the line circuit for two less restrictive indications cannot be energized if the signal in advance is in its stop condition. For example, when relay D is energized, the line circuit for the signal next in rear is energized over one circuit (see signal l) which includes the clear contact 18-19 of the upper unit and the clear contact 8U-8I of the lower unit, or over another rcircuit (see'signal 2) which includes the stop and caution contact 82-83 of the upper unit and the caution contact fili-55 of the upper unit as Well as the clear contact 86 81 of the lower unit. When the relay D is deenergized, the line circuit'for the signal next in rear is supplied with energy over a circuit which includes stop and caution contact 82-83 and caution contact 234-35. Otherwise, the modication shown in Fig. 2 operates in a manner similar to that described for the system shown in Figs. 1A and 1B.

It is understood that although signals I and 2 only are shown in Fig. 2, each of the remaining signals of my system also may be controlled in a similar manner.

From the foregoing description of the two forms of apparatus each embodying my invention, it will be apparent that I have provided a simple and reliable three-block, four-indication, 'signal system utilizing searchlight signals wherein only two line control wires are required and wherein only one line relay and one track relay are required for each signal. Furthermore, the system embodying my invention is free from tumble-down of the signals to the rear and is free 'from momentary ilashing of misleading indications when a light engine traveling at high speed passes from one section to another.

Although I have herein shown and described fonly two forms of apparatus embodying my invention, it is understood that various changes and modifications may be made therein within Athe scope of the appended claims Without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention. V Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

l. A railway signal system comprising, a plurality of successive sections of railway track, each such section having a track circuit including a track relay, a signal for each section, each such signal having a mechanism responsive to the polarity of the current supplied thereto, a line circuit for each section governed by the associated track relay, a polarized line relay for each section connected to the line circuit for that-section, contacts of each line relay for reversibly governing the line circuit for the section next in rear of the associated section and for reversibly governing the mechanism ofthe associated signal, and means'including frontcontacts of each track relay for supplying current to said contacts of the Vassociated. line relay if and only if such track relay is energized.

2. A railway signal system comprising, a pluralityof successive sections of' railway track, each such section having a track circuit including a track relay, a signal for each section having contacts operably governed by the condition of the signal, a line circuit for each section controlled by theassociated track relay, a polarized line relay for each section for governing the associated signal and connected to the line circuit of that section, contacts of each line relay for reversibly governing the line circuit for the section next in rear of the associated section, and means at each signal including Vthe contacts operably governed by that signal for supplying current to said contacts of the associated line relay.

3. In combination, a section of railway track having a track circuit including a track relay, a signal for said section and having two mechanisms each selectively responsive to the polarity of the current supplied thereto whereby said signal is capable of displaying a stop aspect and at least three different proceed indications having varying degrees of speed restriction, a line circuit reversibly governed by trame conditions in advance of said section and including a contact 1 Vof said track relay, a polarized line. relay connected to said line circuit, circuit means including only neutral contacts of bothsaid relays for establishing one of said proceed indications, and

circuit means including neutral contacts of both said' relays and polar contacts of said line relayV for Yestablishing the other two proceed indications.

two relays for selectively supplying current of normal polarity or reverse polarity or supplying no current to the line circuit for the. section next in rear, and a signal for each section responsive to the polarity ofthe current supplied thereto and controlled by the two relays of that section in such manner that a first aspect is displayed when the neutral relay is deenergized, a second aspect is displayed when the neutral relay is energized and the polarized relay is deenergized,

a third aspect is displayed when the neutral relay is energized and the polarized relay is energized reverse and a fourth aspect is displayed when the neutral relay is .energized and the polarized relay is energized normal. V

5. A railway signal system comprising,` a stretch of railway track divided into sections, a neutral relay and a polarized relay for each section, a track circuit for governing each said neutral relay, a line circuit for governing each said polarized relay, means controlled jointly by said two relays for selectively supplying current of normal polarity or reverse. polarity or supplying no current to the line circuit for the vsection next in rear, and a signal for each section responsive to the polarity of the current supplied thereto and controlled by both relays for that section in such manner that a stop indication is displayed when the neutral relay is deenergized and three different proceed indications are displayed when the neutral relay is energized vac.-

cordi'ng. as the polarizedrrelay. is deenergized or energized reverse or energized normal respectively. Y Y

;.6. In combination; twoY` sections of railway track, each having a vtrack circuit including a track relay, a signal for the forward section governed by the track relay for that `section and comprising'a iirst unit and a second unit each capable of displaying different indications in response to the polarity of thescurrent supplied thereto, contacts operabiy governed by said two units, a line circuit for the rear section governed by said contacts, a line relay connected to said line circuit, and a signal for the rear section governed by said line relay and by the track relay for that section. Y

7. In combination, two sections of railway track, Va signal for the Aforward section governed by traiiic conditions in advance of the, signal and comprising a first mechanism and a second, mechanism, said rst mechanism operable to three different conditions according as it is energized normal or energized reverseor deenerglzed respectively and'said second mechanism operable to two different conditions according as it is energized or deenergized respectively, contacts operably connected to each mechanism and each closed only when the associated mechanism is energized, a signal for the rear section, and circuit means including said contacts for governing said signal for the rear section. Y

8. In combination, two sections of railway track, a signal for the forward section governed by tramo conditions inradvance of the signal and comprising two units, one unit capable of displaying three different indications according as it is energized normal or energized reverse or deenergized Vand the other unit capable of display-v ing two different indications according as it is energized or deenergized, contacts' governed in accordance with the indications displayed by said two units, a relay for the rear section governed by said contacts, and a signal governed by said relay. Y s

9. In combination, two sections of railway track, a signal for the forward section governed by traffic conditions in advance of said signal and comprising one indication unit capable of dis-A playing a proceed or a caution or a stop indication according as it is energized normal or energized reverse or deenergized respectively and another indication unit capable of displaying a proceed or a stop indication according as it is energized or deenergized respectively, a rst contact closed only when said one unit is energized normal, a second contact closed only when said one unitis energized reverse, athird contact closed only when said other unit is energized, a relay for the rear section, a circuit for said relay including said rst contact, another circuit for said relay including saidsecond and said third contact, still another circuit for said relay including said second contactjand a signal for the rear section controlled by said relay.

l0. Infcombination, a section of railway track including a track circuit having Va source of energy connected across the rails at one end of the section and atrack relay connected across the rails at the other end of the section, a polarized line relay for said section, said line relay supplied with current of normal polarityor with current of reverse polarity or with no current in accordance with traflic conditions in advance of said section, a signal for said section comprising a. iirst unit. and a second unit, a circuit for the first unit including only front contacts of said track relay and only back neutral contacts of said line relay, another circuit for said first unit including a front contact of said track relay and a front neutral contact of said line relayY as well as a reverse polar contact of said line relay, still another circuit for said rst unit including a front contact of said track relay and a front neutral contact of said line relay as well as a. normal polar contact of said line relay, and a cir-Y cuit for the second unit including a front contact of the track relay and a front neutral contact of the line relayr as well as a reverse polar. contact of said line relay. Y Y

l1. In combination, a section of railway track including` a track circuit having a source of energy connected across the rails at one end of the section and a track relay connected across the rails at the other end of thersection, a polarized line relay for said section, said line relay supplied with current of normal polarity or with current of reverse polarity or with no current in accordance with traiiic conditions in advance of said section, a signal for said section comprising a iirst unit and a second unit, a circuit for the first unit including only iront contacts of said track relay and only back neutral contacts of said line relay, another circuit for said rst unit including a front contact of saidl track relay and a frontneutral contact of said line relay as wellV as a reversepolar contact of said line.V relay, still another circuit for said first unit including a front contact of said track relay and a front neutral contact of said line relay as well as a normal polar contact of said line relay, and a circuit for the second runit includinga front contact of the track relay and a frontneutral contactof the line relay.

l2. In combination, a section of railway trackV including a track circuit having a source of energy connected across the rails at one end of the sec-V tion and a track relay connected across the rails at the other end of the section, a polarized line relay for said section, said line relay supplied with current of normal polarity or with current of reverse polarity or with .no current in accordance withotraillc conditions in advance of said section, a signal for said section comprising a rstunit and a second unit, a circuit for the first Y' Y unit including a pair of front contacts of said track relay and a pair of back contacts of said lin-e relay, another circuit for the rst unit including said pair of front contacts of the track relay and a pair of front contacts of the line relay as well as a. pair of reverse polar contacts of the line relay, still another circuit for said iirst unit in-Y cluding said pair of front contacts of` the track relay and said pair of front contacts of the line relay as well as a pair of normal polar contacts line relayvconnected to said line circuit, meansV governed by'trafc conditions in advance of said section for lsupplying said line circuit with current of normal polarity or with current of reverse polarity or no current, and a signal for said section controlled by said track and line relays and arranged todisplay a` red light over a red light -relay is deenergized or is energized reverse or is energized normal respectively.

14. In combination, a section of railway track having a source of energy connected across the rails at one end of the section and a track relay connected across the rails at the other end of the section, a line circuit for said section including a front contact of said track relay, a polarized line relay connected to said line circuit, means governed by traffic conditions in advance of said section for supplying said line circuit with current of normal polarity or with current of reverse polarity or no current, and a signal for said section controlled by said track and line relays and arranged to display a red light over a red light when the track relay is deenergized regardless of the condition of said line relay and a yellow light over a red light or a yellow light over a green light or a green light over a green light when said track relay is energized according as said line relay is deenergized or is energized reverse or is energized normal respectively.

JAMES J. VANHORN. 

